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Dynamic Growth Characterizes Drake Cement 

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Drake Cement LLC, located on Highway 89 in a rural area about 10 miles north of Paulden in Yavapai County, has exceeded earlier predictions and continues to grow. 

In fact, during the past five years, the workforce has grown from about 80 or so local employees to 107 in the Chino Valley-Paulden area. Another 16 people are involved in administration, accounting and sales at the corporate headquarters in Scottsdale. 

The parent company is in Peru. 

The payroll almost doubled from around $5 million five years ago to an estimated $8 million in 2018. Entry-level jobs start at $16 an hour, with full benefits. Wages can increase to almost double that. 

Drake Vice President for Environment, Health and Safety and Compliance David Chavez says, “Economic indicators forecast continued growth.” 

Because of such expansion, the physical plant has also grown, with an emphasis on improved plant efficiency, maintenance, employee training and safety. 

In the last year, Drake constructed a training facility, complete with locker rooms with showers for employees. In the plans is a sophisticated maintenance shop adjacent to existing offices and the control room area so that mechanical, maintenance and support personnel will have a modern facility to perform plant repairs. Expansion of electrical facilities is also scheduled.  

“Drake has captured 30 percent of the Arizona cement and aggregate market,” said CEO Enrique Rozas, a native of Peru who has been working in Arizona for several years. “We’re supplying cement to a couple of other companies, too. The demand continues to grow.”  

“We’re especially proud that our plant was awarded federal recognition in 2015 and again in 2017 for having the best safety record of any plant in the nation,” said Drake Director of Cement Operations Lawrence “Tony” Turner. “Those are the highest honors the company can receive.”  

Karen Otis, administrative and community involvement coordinator has been with the company for 11 years, says opportunities have increased for company involvement and support of the greater community. 

Turner says the company values its role in the community. “All of us are proud of this facility and the contributions it makes to the local economy in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.”  

The Drake plant opened in June 2011, and has been producing two kinds of cement—Type II for general use and Type V, which has a low alkaline content. Both types of Portland cement are manufactured in a “closed loop” system, which means that virtually no gaseous or particulate emissions occur, say company officials. 

One of the newest cement plants constructed in the United States and the latest to be built in Arizona, the plant is monitored regularly by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to make sure no harmful environmental impacts occur.  

Currently, most cement produced is trucked to Maricopa County.  The plant has the capacity for producing up to 2,200 tons of cement a day. 

The limestone supply, which is quarried near the manufacturing plant, is estimated to be good for at least 100 years. 

Chavez says the cement plant is a strong contributor to the community, not just economically, but also socially and culturally. An important relationship, he says, involves having internships and consulting projects with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) and Yavapai College (YC). ERAU faculty members and students provide scientific and analytical advice to Drake officials about how the company can continue its success. YC consults about advanced electronic circuitry.  

Drake is a member of several community groups and organizations, including the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Historical Society, the Senior Events Center and similar groups. In addition, the company and its employees support the Chino Valley Police Department, the local schools and Future Farmers of America.    

“We have employees who are active in the Yavapai County Education Foundation, the Yavapai County Spelling Bee, Habitat for Humanity, Women in Business and several Quad Cities job fairs,” he said.  “We also use local vendors and suppliers as much as we can when possible. We want Drake to be viewed as more than just a major employer.  It is a positive community asset.” QCBN 

 

By Ray Newton, QCBN 

 

For more information about Drake Cement LLC, visit drakeus.com. 

 

Photo caption: 

 Drake executives, CEO Enrique Rozas and Director of Cement Operations and Tony Turner take pride in the company’s goals of service, excellence, respect and value.  (Photo by Ray Newton) 

 

 

Melissa Cripps Composing a Life of Business, Service, Music 

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Managing a rewarding career is as much how a person approaches living as what transpires during business hours. That reality was poignantly reinforced in 2018 for Flagstaff’s Melissa Collins Cripps, agent/owner of Melissa Cripps Insurance Agency, Inc.

“My life changed last year when both my parents died within 12 days of each other,” Cripps said. “My mother died of leukemia and my father died of a broken heart 12 days later.”  

Characterizing her “world as a very different place now,” Cripps relishes blessings that have enriched her life and given new meaning to goals and relationships. Every day, she takes to heart her mother’s last words: to avoid judging others.

“I have received many blessings, not the least of which is a closer relationship with my older sister,” Cripps explained. “I have a different perspective on what is important. I don’t have room in my heart for hate or jealousy or resentment.”

For Cripps, the most rewarding aspects of her career always have been interacting with people and forging ahead with an impact. Her solid work ethic and desire to help people led to opening her own State Farm Insurance Agency Sept. 1, 1989. During this, the agency’s 30th year of operation, she mused about how her life all came together.

In 1968, at age 10, Cripps moved with her family to Flagstaff. She later relocated to Tempe to attend Arizona State University (ASU). Working for a family friend, she managed an insurance agency for a consumer lending service. She quickly learned the business, grew to appreciate the industry, and obtained her state insurance license. 

“I had never been in insurance before and had majored in music at university,” she said. “I liked solving problems and fitting the pieces together. It was very hard work in the beginning. I wondered at times if I was going to make it. Now, I look back on 30 years, which seem to have gone by very quickly.” 

Deciding after four years that she wanted to make money for herself rather than an employer, Cripps contacted major insurance companies about how to start her own agency. She chose to join State Farm because she appreciated the company and its contract for agents.

“However, they would not appoint me as an agent until I had my college degree,” she explained, noting that she had fewer than 20 credit hours remaining. “I was in Tempe at the time and wanted to get back to Flagstaff, so I wrote 22 letters to agencies in Flagstaff to get a job while I finished my degree at Northern Arizona University in night classes.”

State Farm Agent Bill Trent hired her for the two years until graduation and the State Farm approval to open her own agency.    

“I have worthwhile work where I can help people in so many different ways, not just through selling products, but by helping [clients] plan for the unexpected,” she explained. “I love working with people and helping them.”

Cripps attributes her business success to a strong focus on “doing a good job, doing the right thing and developing relationships, not only with clients and potential clients, but also with members of the community.”  

Some of that civic involvement indeed is music to others’ ears. Cripps began playing cello at age 12, ultimately participating in regional and state festivals and attending music camp at NAU. After leaving music for a while after high school, she successfully auditioned for the Flagstaff Symphony and played there for 20 years.

“Ten years ago, my husband and I, along with some brave souls, started Orchestra Northern Arizona,” she recalled, adding that her husband, David Cripps, is the artistic director and conductor. “This orchestra is comprised of mostly amateur players who love playing and have no other opportunities. Our tenth anniversary concert and celebration is in May.”  

That same month, she will complete her Masters of Music in Cello Performance at NAU, where she has studied with Mary Ann Ramos, Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA). “I started this journey after being inspired by attending the Baltimore Symphony Academy in 2014. The culmination of that academy was to play side-by-side with the professional musicians of the Baltimore Symphony.” 

No matter the situation, Cripps has composed her own path to success, filling life’s pages with notes high and low. Her son, Robert Collins, attends ASU and works at Gateway Community College. As a wife, mother, daughter, businesswoman, mentor and musician, Cripps has authored the sheet music for achieving her goals. 

“I was the first woman [insurance] agent in Flagstaff, and in fact, one of a very few throughout our region,” she said about her initial foray into the industry. “It was challenging to find my voice and stand in my strength, and to be accepted as professional and knowledgeable.”   

She built her business early on by networking through volunteerism. “I simply said ‘yes’ every time someone invited me to be on a committee or board of directors.” When she jumped back into volunteering several years after becoming a mother, she “made a conscious decision to only participate in organizations that fit my mission and passion.”

Cripps since has served on the Flagstaff Arts Council for six years, including two years as president, and regularly contributes to Girls on the Run and “just about anything to do with young people’s development.” A KNAU sponsor, she also is a major contributor to the arts through the Arboretum, Dark Skies, the Viola Awards and Orchestra Northern Arizona.

“My mission is helping to empower women, young and old, and my passion is the arts,” she explained, adding that she’s compiling a long list of “when I graduate” volunteer opportunities, including more involvement in Orchestra Northern Arizona. 

This year, she again plans to sponsor Movies on the Square and will host a refreshment table at the American Cancer Society Climb the Mountain to Conquer Cancer on Aug. 17. 

Having been honored with the Athena Award for leadership from the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce in 1995 and the Flagstaff Arts Council’s Viola Award in 2017, Cripps encourages others navigating the world of life and business to “just do the best job you can.”

She said, “Don’t try to find shortcuts or easy streets. It takes a lot less effort to simply do your job well and with integrity. Never measure success by the amount of money made or the size of the business. Success is knowing you did your best.” QCBN

By Sue Marceau   

  

Photo caption: 

Music has been a life-long love for State Farm agent Melissa Cripps. 

Courtesy photo  

 

TV Antennas Making a Comeback

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Some of us remember the “old days” when homes and apartments had skinny poles sitting on the roofs with even skinner aluminum or chrome-colored arms sticking out in all directions, wavering in the wind.

But, along came cable. Antennas came down.

Now, many are going back up – at least in the Quad Cities area.

That’s according to James Todd, founder and owner of Arizona TV Worx, a Prescott-based business that specializes in digital TV antenna installation, home theater installation, home audio and electronic repair, and vintage electronic equipment repair.

Todd said in the past five years, he has installed well over 600 of the highest gain antennas.

The question Todd gets asked the most is, “What’s the cost for an antenna?”

His answer: “Installed and hooked up to the TVs in the house, $500 – out the door, with no monthly fees for the antenna. It belongs to the buyer.”

Another question.  “How long does it take to install an antenna”?

Todd’s answer? “If it’s a routine installation, I usually can have the antenna up and TVs working in about three hours.”

Worth noting is that the quality of a TV image is dependent on the number of pixels, 720 or 1080 pixels, the number of lines per square inch. Research shows that if a viewer sits more than 10 feet away from the television screen and the screen is no longer than 50 inches diagonally, most viewers can’t tell the difference in image definition.

Most images delivered via the antenna are high definition.

Todd suggested for those who want sports channels or others not available via antenna, subscriptions to streaming alternatives such as Netflix, Sling TV,  Hulu or other combinations are available for a monthly fee. He offers to provide details and assist with initiating the subscription.

Todd has been in the electronics business since his teens. He opened his business almost 14 years ago in Prescott and told the Quad Cities Business News that for the past few years, he has been buried in new business. “Electronic technology, especially improved transmission of TV signals from major stations, has improved to the point that viewers can get better images with a high gain antenna than were ever possible before.”

Before opening his store in the Quad Cities area, Todd owned a television sales and repair shop in Show Low. Before that, he learned about electronics at DeVry University in Phoenix and then spent several years working for major electronic technology firms before he decided to start his own business.

He explained the new high gain antennas provide high definition television reception in most of the greater Prescott area. “Generally, antennas must be in almost line-of-sight from the TV signal repeaters. Repeaters are on Mingus Mountain – Mount Francis. Another is on Mormon Mountain in Flagstaff. If a location is blocked geographically from those signals, then an antenna will not work. I can usually tell almost immediately when people call me, if they tell me their neighborhood, whether an antenna will deliver the signal they need.”

The lanky, sun-tanned Todd sells and installs antennas that are inconspicuous in comparison to ones from 35 or 40 years ago. Only 40” X 32” in size, they are smaller than many “smart” TVs. Further, depending on wiring within a home, multiple TV sets can be linked to them at no extra cost.

Explaining why he thought antennas were gaining popularity, Todd said many viewers were tired of the high costs for other forms of delivery. He also mentioned that consumers were weary of so many commercials and infomercials.

He cited data showing that nationally, people were “cutting the cord” to shift to antennas. In the past year, over-the-air antenna use has gone from 12.3 percent to 12.9 percent – and growing monthly. According to Parks Associates, a market research firm, one-fifth of the households in the U.S. with broadband internet now use an antenna. Closer to home, it’s estimated by Nielsen research in 2017 that 24 percent of viewers in the Phoenix area are now using antennas. Nationally, cable use has dropped from 81 percent to 77 percent.

Todd does say that a disadvantage to antenna use in the region is that fewer channels are available than with other systems. Even so, with the antenna Todd installs, all three major networks – ABC, CBS and NBC – are delivered. So are other popular channels such as KAET public broadcasting, Fox 10, KTVK Arizona Channel 7 and many others. Currently, at least 37 channels are received via antenna in the Prescott area. He said more are likely in the future.

Todd concluded that given the changing viewing habits of the television audiences, especially among younger viewers who have a “wherever, whenever” attitude about the kinds of programs they watch, even bigger and more flexible technological changes are likely in the next few years.

Arizona TV Worx is located at 1450 W. Gurley in Prescott. For more information, contact Todd at jtoddcitilink@gmail.com or 928-445-8442. QCBN

By Ray Newton, QCBN

Manifesting the Magic of Momentum

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Momentum may have best been described by Sir Isaac Newton, only he called it inertia: An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. I wouldn’t go so far as to call your boss, supervisor or team leader an unbalanced force, but who would argue with Sir Newton?

Scott Cochrane wouldn’t. He is the vice president of International Ministries, Willow Creek Association. He says loss of momentum is always about leadership. His list of ways to kill momentum include: overplanning, dragging out decisions, not communicating results and reorganizing.

Leaders who are afraid to make a move will stay very busy overplanning. They may do copious amounts of research, conduct an exhausting exercise of “checking in” with associates, schedule a nauseating number of meetings and still not make a decision. They may be perfectionists or people pleasers, but they are not decision makers, effective leaders or motivators. I once worked for a director of an organization who filled her calendar with meetings. I believe she thought staying busy meant work was getting done. What it did was stop others completely – so they could attend her meetings – and build a lot of resentment.

Not communicating results is confusing, but I would say disrespectful, too, and can make momentum’s head spin. I know a general manager who was in the habit of nominating her team’s projects for awards, but didn’t share that information with the team members. They had no idea their work was being appreciated and certainly had no feedback that their efforts were worthy of national recognition. I don’t know if she was trying to protect them from disappointment, but it does feel good just to be nominated. Why miss out on that encouragement?

Reorganizing is something that seems to be the right of every new leader, and it might even be necessary, but it’s hard to keep energy flowing in one purposeful direction when your desk, chair and file cabinets are being driven somewhere else. Think about the last time you moved into a new home. Finding a coffee mug and a clean spoon can become a time-consuming, energy-sapping exercise. I worked with an organization that was constantly moving people in and out of offices, up and down floors and even into different buildings. In four years, I can count at least four different office moves.

Business coach Tony Robbins says momentum is something that we can create and also break. He calls momentum the force that pushes passionate people to get excited and successful people to breed further success. Aligning with Sir Newton, he calls momentum “the business of physics success.”

To manifest the magic of momentum, Robbins offers three steps: 1) Get obsessively excited. 2) Go get the best tools, mentors and plan. 3) Follow through like there’s no turning back. Rather than being afraid to make a move, he says, “Overachievers are more afraid of what life will be like if we don’t follow through!”

President John F. Kennedy may well have been the momentum poster child of the 1960s when he said, “We choose to go to the Moon.” That momentum continues to be felt this year as the world marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing and Neil Armstrong’s “one small step.”

Robbins suggests momentum can make the difference between making a living and designing a life, which may be well worth steering clear of unbalanced forces. QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens

Bonnie Stevens is a public relations consultant. She can be reached at bonnie.stevens@gmail.com.

World Traveler Builds Career Out of Sending Clients on Vacation

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Monika Leuenberger loves what she does and does what she loves. Her expansive world is all about travel. Having sojourned to more than 20 countries (she has lost count), this Switzerland-born wanderlust, travel advisor and co-owner of Avenues of the World Travel has tips and suggestions for situations you would not dream of happening and back-up support for when they do.  

“Several years ago, we traveled to New Zealand via Flagstaff to LA. On our flight back, we landed at the LA airport and our flight was cancelled back to Flagstaff,” said Bob Golub, a retired teacher and non-profit administrator. “Monika had been monitoring our return and saw the Flagstaff airport alert. She called us immediately with three options: schedule a flight back to Phoenix; rent a car and drive; or stay in Los Angeles and she would plan things for us to do.” 

Golub said he and his wife decided to drive back from Los Angeles. “Monika suggested she rent us a car equipped with GPS. We told her we didn’t need it, but she insisted. We realized that navigating the freeways there would have been impossible without the GPS! Monika is just fabulous. She has unbelievable experience, plus she’s creative, detailed and has extensive resources. She doesn’t just get you where you want to go but she helps you get the most out of the experience when you get there.” 

Golub has been using Leuenberger’s services for several years. His most memorable excursion was an African safari.

“Traveling gives you a better understanding of humanity and teaches tolerance,” said Leuenberger. “What always strikes me is that regardless of the differences in culture and religion, no matter where you live, we all have the same basic needs and everyone responds to a smile.”

To ensure that her clients have the best traveling experience, Leuenberger maintains contacts worldwide to assist with emergencies. “We have local connections in their time zones, plus we keep up-to-date on issues or changes going on and we have developed strong associations.”  

Some of Leuenberger’s popular trips include hiking in the Swiss Alps or on the Inca Trail, or an African safari. She highly suggests multi-generational trips. “This is a fantastic way to create family memories.” 

Some emerging destinations are Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Borneo and travelers, she says, are raving about the Antarctic. “They all offer some very unique experiences.”

She adds that traveling opportunities and choices are more abundant than ever before. “Working with a travel advisor helps avoid missing out on a lot benefits,” explained Leuenberger. “We have special terms with over a thousand hotels worldwide, so we get special rates and upgrades, food and beverage credits and freebies such as breakfast, Wi-Fi, early check-in and check-out and sometimes even spa credits.” 

“I’ve been working for Monika for almost 10 years and it’s been the most fun,” said Daniela Harrison, a travel advisor with Avenues of the World Travel. “Monika is very supportive and an amazing role model and inspiration. She’s an active member of several non-profits and is always eager to help out in the community. If we’re having a stressful week, she’ll make sure we don’t forget about self-care and take a break or go home early to enjoy a sunny hike.”

According to Harrison, the most fun part of her job is touching base with clients after their vacation. “We hug, laugh, share pictures and funny tales. This is when we know our hard work has paid off.” QCBN

By Veronica Tierney, QCBN

Northern Arizona’s Largest Furniture Store Opening in Prescott Valley 

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The long-vacant former Kmart building in Prescott Valley will soon be a second home for Pruitt’s Fine Furniture, a Phoenix-based business.  

The family-owned company purchased the store at 7550 Highway 69 in December. Renovation efforts have been underway, with an opening date scheduled for March. 

“Because we’re a family-owned business, we’re able to move quickly and make business decisions much faster than national and international chain companies,” said General Manager Christy Smith. “It’s an aggressive timeline.” 

Smith said the mission of the Prescott Valley store is to provide affordable options for every possible furniture buyer’s budget throughout Central and Northern Arizona. 

“We keep our margins low and provide a huge inventory with a full range of options for buyers,” she said. 

The inventory will include furniture for college students, for newlyweds and middle-class families. Buyers can also find upscale, name-brand home décor for every room, she said. 

Styles will range from classical and neo-classical to Victorian and vintage, traditional, contemporary and casual, modern and rustic.  

“We’re known for our exceptional customer service,” said Smith. “Some of our customers are now in their third and fourth family generations.” 

The store also will carry a large inventory of outdoor and patio furniture to fit the Southwestern lifestyle. 

Smith, an Arizona native and graduate of Arizona State University, had been a real estate transactional attorney before becoming general manager for Pruitt’s. She shifted to the retail business when she saw what she describes as a “greater long-term opportunity to get into business and take some challenging risks. Pruitt’s offered me that chance.”  

Her husband, Brent Smith, serves as the operations consultant overseeing construction and logistics at the new store. Both spend several days a week in Prescott Valley. They supervised the extensive remodeling necessary to accommodate the multi-million dollar inventory, which will be in the 100,000-square-foot building.   

“We will be sending delivery trucks daily to keep the new store fully stocked,” she said.  

Brent said Pruitt’s is using local architects. He noted that Jebco Construction Co., of Prescott, is the main contractor. The company is using local labor and materials as much as possible in the renovation of the concrete block wall building. Plans include a small coffee shop inside the front entrance.  

Also under consideration is a semi-outdoor casual restaurant near the outdoor furniture display area.  

The Smiths emphasized how grateful they are to find a welcoming business environment in Prescott Valley. They said town officials were consistently accommodating in responding to permit requests, inspections and other legal and construction requirements. They also complimented other businesses in the area, saying that management and staff from many surrounding firms had stopped by to welcome Pruitt’s to the community. 

“We’ll employ more than 20 people, ranging from stocking services to sales, customer service and management, when we open,” said Smith.   

Pruitt’s in Prescott Valley is expected to be the largest furniture store in Northern Arizona. QCBN   

 

By Ray Newton, QCBN

 

Those interested in applying for jobs are encouraged to contact Smith at Christy@pruitts.com. 

 

 

Subaru Grand Opening Draws Crowd 

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Since late spring, when Findlay Subaru announced a major expansion of its dealership and facilities, until now, with the recent grand opening of the new 24,000-square-foot sales and service facilities, the Prescott dealership has become “…the highest value Subaru dealer in Central and Northern Arizona,” said Christian Robinson, director of internet sales and marketing. He noted that includes Flagstaff and Show Low. 

Proof of that success was perhaps documented during the Nov. 17 Grand Opening, when sales initiated that day resulted in an estimated 15 cars being sold in just a 48-hour period. A few days later, the dealership opening was formally dedicated with a ribbon cutting attended by community leaders.  

Subaru General Manager Dave “Mac” Macfarlane told Quad Cities Business News with a laugh, “I guess the folks who came to the grand opening liked all the free food and beverages we served. They stuck around and bought cars.” He says he had to order and reorder large food trays of sandwiches – twice. He also ended up ordering 24 large pizzas, along with chips, cookies, snacks and beverages to feed the estimated 2,000 people who visited the dealership. 

Macfarlane stressed that Subaru dedicates a portion of sales from each Subaru sold to the Prescott Teen Center. “We mean it when we say we give back to the community. It truly is an extension of the Subaru international motto: ‘Share the Love.’” 

Throughout the day, Subaru staff members pulled tickets for raffle prizes, which included Bluetooth speakers, hydration packs, steel sports bottles and similar items. 

The Grand Prize included a 27-inch Salsa mountain bicycle, a Thule bike rack, a one-person kayak, a kayak roof rack and a Yeti cooler.  

Those prizes went to Prescott residents Rebecca and Luther Kroxberger and their children, Sawyer, Lyla and Kora. QCBN 

By Ray Newton, QCBN      

Photo by Ray Newton:      

#3Dozens of community and county leaders as well as several Findlay Auto Group employees gathered Dec. 10, for the official Ribbon Cutting welcoming a new Subaru dealership into the official Findlay Auto Group family in Prescott.   

 

 

Grand Opening of a Grand Lodge 

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With striking panoramic views in all directions – the Bradshaw Mountains, Thumb Butte, Granite Mountain, Watson Lake – the four-story Grand Lodge at Touchmark at the Ranch now is accepting residents. 

Located on a prominent ridge line just north of Highway 69 on the east side of Prescott across from the Prescott Gateway Mall, the Grand Lodge has 95 independent living homes, ranging from studio units to two-bedroom, two-bath plus a den and fully equipped kitchens. 

According to Executive Director Douglas Libby, just after the first of the year, another 53 homes will be available for people needing help with the activities of daily living. Licensed care services will be available. Further, another 10 residences are designed to provide support for those with early dementia but who do not yet require a secured environment. 

Libby said full memory care services will be added during a future phase of development.  

When fully developed and occupied, the full-service, upscale retirement community will have approximately 375 lodge and cottage homes. Presently, 42 cottage homes have been or are being constructed.  

Libby joined the Touchmark organization last summer when Tom Biel, the executive vice president for the Touchmark-Prescott development, announced that he would retire in January. 

Libby, who has a long history of experience in the hotel and hospitality management industry, came to Prescott from Sedona, where he had managed a hotel. 

“I am so pleased to see the creative use of Southwestern colors, patterns and design concepts in the building. All the soft sage and earth tones, along with natural materials like stone and wood, create a warm relaxing environment that is revitalizing – just like Central Arizona and the Quad Cities area.” 

Libby said inquiries about moving into the adults-only retirement resort are coming from throughout the Quad Cities area. “We’re also getting a lot from the Tucson and Southern Arizona communities and quite a few from Northern Arizona. Many are getting in touch with us, too, from the West Coast.” 

 

Grand Lodge Amenities are Many 

Upscale amenities are available for residents to use, including a computer center, a library, a movie-viewing area, an arts and crafts and game room, a hair salon and concierge services.  

Several dining options are within the lodge. They include Charley’s (a bistro), the Sterling Dining Room, the Lynx Lake Lounge and a private dining room that can be reserved for meetings, private parties and family get-togethers. 

Residents who have guests coming to visit can arrange for them to use one of the five dedicated guest rooms within the lodge.  

Other amenities adjacent to the lodge include the clubhouse, only a short stroll away. It contains The Finn Restaurant and the boutique-style Touchmark Health & Fitness Center, which houses an indoor swimming pool and state-of-the-art fitness equipment. Certified fitness professionals are on hand for personal or group sessions. 

Residents also have access to the Central Park. It has an amphitheater, pickle ball and bocce ball courts. It also has a barbeque area. Walking and nature trails stretch around the 45-acre site; 60 percent of the property is designated as “open space.”   

Construction at the multi-million Touchmark property began in April 2016. QCBN 

 

By Ray Newton, QCBN

 

For more information, contact Touchmark.com or call 928-632-7800. 

  

Photo captions: 

#1As part of its “give back to the community” commitment, Touchmark staff members Ashley Nunez and Lynda Eyler helped prepare 20 boxes of food items. They were delivered as Christmas presents to local recipients designated by People Who Care.   

Photo by Ray Newton  

 

Leaders Say Teacher Shortage is Hurting Business 

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Arizona is facing a significant teacher shortage, according to Expect More Arizona, with more than 2,000 unfilled positions in the past academic year alone. Local business leaders say the lack of teachers is having a detrimental impact in local classrooms and, thus, the workforce.  

“In the Flagstaff region, we all want a diverse economy and diversity among thriving industries. After all, that will benefit all of our residents,” said Mike Thomas, vice president of operations with Kinney Construction Services, Inc. “The impact that teachers have on that vision can’t be overestimated. We need great teachers to help create a strong workforce, which is vital to attracting new business to the area and to supporting existing businesses.” 

Expect More Arizona, a statewide non-profit organization, along with LAUNCH Flagstaff and Tucson Values Teachers, presented the documentary, “Teaching in Arizona” recently at Flagstaff Medical Center. The film tells the stories of three public school teachers and offers a number of reasons why teachers leave the classroom, including pay, working conditions and a perceived lack of respect and public support. It also explores opportunities for improving the profession, teacher recruitment and retention.   

“Education is a community endeavor,” said Thomas, who served in a panel discussion following the documentary. “It should be a partnership among a variety of entities, including local businesses. Company executives should ask themselves, ‘What can we do?’” 

Thomas believes businesses can help by supporting existing programs and partnerships that strengthen education, such as the United Way. He cited the Scientists in the Classroom Program at Sinagua Middle School, in which he participates, as “a great way to get kids excited about learning and about potential career pathways.”  

United Way of Northern Arizona President Steve Peru moderated the panel, which included Patti Pastor, M.Ed, who leads the Flagstaff High School Culinary & CTE Department, and Killip School Principal Joe Gutierrez.  

“If we want to be known as a state and a community that supports education, then we need to make some changes to our system to portray that image,” Thomas said. “I believe funding is one piece of that equation, but it needs to be bolstered by a good support structure for the teachers and faculty.” 

Thomas currently serves as a board member for Flagstaff STEM City and The Pantry. He and his wife have two school-aged children.  

 

 

By Bonnie Stevens

 

 

Photo caption: More than 100 people attended the public presentation, which included a showing of the documentary “Teaching in Arizona,” and a panel discussion. 

Courtesy photo 

Printpack Investing More Than $40 Million in Prescott Valley Plant Expansion 

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Ground has been broken, construction begun, new technologically sophisticated equipment ordered, and new job announcements prepared – all at Printpack Inc., one of the largest employers in the Quad Cities area.  

The economic impact of the manufacturing company’s expansion is estimated to be greater than $40 million. 

Lonnie McKinley, the Prescott Valley-based plant manager and long-time Printpack executive, said increased manufacturing demands on the current facilities “…have exceeded our plant’s ability to keep up with customer orders. Printpack chairman and CEO Jimmy Love said the company is committed to providing the associates in Prescott Valley with the best technology and facilities available, so expansion was approved last fall. 

Heavy equipment has scraped dirt and started the foundation for the 40,000-square-foot addition to the west side of the existing 100,000-square-foot plant. McKinley said the builder is using local labor and subcontractors as much as possible. The facility is located at 6800 E. Second Street, just south of Hwy 69. 

The new construction will include remodeling existing office and administrative space and adding thousands of square feet for new printing equipment, laminating and finishing machinery. Equipment will be state-of-the-art, with capability for printing, laminating and finishing of paper, film and foil for food packing.  

Projected completion date for the expansion project is March or April 2019.  

McKinley, whose experience in the business began in Oregon in 1981, said industry growth is creating significant job opportunities. “We’re always in the market for new associates. We want people who are interested in solid careers working for a privately held, family-owned company. Our expansion will provide added capacity for an additional 30 jobs over the next two or three years.” 

Printpack currently employs 130 people, including administrative and associate staff personnel.  

“We’ve been fortunate. Once our associates learn their job skills, they have the opportunity to advance. Many senior leaders in the company have worked their way through the ranks and have illustrious careers,” said McKinley. “For example, here in Prescott Valley, most of the leadership team started at the entry level and worked their way up. Marcus Fouss, now our performance systems manager, has been here 26 years, and he started at the bottom.”  

Fouss was proud to note that his 21-year-old son recently accepted a job with Printpack.  

Printpack’s senior associates provide on-the-job training for new employees. “We also work with Yavapai College and its graduates, especially the electronic technicians. Our Human Resource staff members really enjoy seeing them.” McKinley said.  

McKinley also made sure to highlight the salary levels at Printpack. “Our associates start at $16 [per hour] and get good benefit packages and 401(k) plans. They can advance, and many do move into positions to earn $25 to $30 an hour. We have a full range of positions open, from production to industrial technology, graphics, quality control, maintenance. We’re always actively seeking female employees, too. We just identified a woman electronic technician we’re bringing on board through our intern program. We’d like to find more.” 

Associates have options, too, for when they work. The plant operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas.  

Trucks routinely are backed up into the shipping bay to haul large rolls of packaging to vendors around the United States.  

The Prescott Valley plant manufactures millions of packaging products that go to Southern Arizona and the West Coast, where they then are used for packaging fresh produce and salad products. “But we also print food packages for dozens of other national major fresh produce vendors and stores,” said McKinley. 

Security measures at Printpack facilities are strict. “Because the products we manufacture are very scientifically engineered and tested, we’re always aware of protecting what we do. Most people don’t even think about the packaging that surrounds their produce. They don’t realize that sack around their salad has been carefully designed to sustain just the right amount of moisture so the product won’t spoil.”   

Responding to a question about its use of plastic in light of growing worldwide environmental concerns about plastic contamination, McKinley said, “Printpack leads the industry in developing packaging products designed to enhance product shelf life. All are intended to reduce the carbon footprint through less food waste and packaging required. All our facilities have goals of zero landfill and are accountable to improved sustainability metrics.” 

Printpack customers include Frito Lay, Starbucks, Dole and Fresh Express, along with grocery chains and national cereal, coffee, pet food and snack food companies.  

At the corporate level, annual revenues are estimated to be approaching $2 billion. Printpack headquarters are in Atlanta, Georgia; however, the company has sites in seven other states, with Arizona being its furthest west location. Printpack also has plants in Mexico and China.  

The Prescott Valley facility has been here since 1991, when it first began producing custom flexible packaging for a variety of national and international firms. The company has twice been named Arizona Manufacturer of the Year. QCBN 

 

By Ray Newton, QCBN 

 

Photo by Ray Newton